Lucent Fall 2012

lucent The Alumni Magazine of American International College

Fall 2012 | Volume 5 | Issue 3

L of the Mind The ife

Dr. Tom Maulucci and AIC’s Honors Program

A Season of Successes It is hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of the fall semester at American International College. From the classroom to the athletic fields, it has been a wonderfully eventful autumn on campus. This year’s Homecoming weekend was one of the best attended in recent memory. As always, it is such a pleasure to see our alumni gather in the bleachers of the Ronald J. Abdow Field and cheer our football team to victory. It was particularly heartwarming to see so many members of the classes of ’62 and ’87 getting reacquainted at their reunion dinners, reliving memories of their college years at AIC. It is an honor to congratulate our nursing faculty and students for the outstanding grant they received earlier this fall. Over the next four years, AIC will receive almost $2.4 million in federal aid from the Department of Health and Human Services. We anticipate that this grant money will be distributed to at least 40 high achieving, disadvantaged nursing students for whom this aid could very well make the difference in completing their nursing education. The grant, the largest in American International College history, was one of only 99 grants awarded nationally, and was the largest grant of its kind to be awarded to a Massachusetts college.

I am also pleased to welcome our new theater director, Frank Borelli, who has already contributed to AIC's culture of the arts with this fall's production of Sophocles’ Antigone.

Academically, the College has enjoyed steady growth this year as we continue to build our academic programs, keeping them in step with trends in their respective disciplines. This issue of Lucent profiles one such program, the AIC Honors Program, and its director, Dr. Thomas Maulucci. Our Honors Program offers students an exceptional academic experience and provides them with many opportunities to experience culture beyond the borders of our campus.

With Homecoming fresh in mind, let me take this opportunity to thank you and all of our alumni for your continued support of the AIC family. Your participation in our community is integral to the success of our current and future students. Enjoy the winter months and we hope to see you on campus by the time spring breaks!

Vince Maniaci, president

lucent EDITORIAL BOARD Heather Cahill Danielle Goldaper Craig Greenberg Lynn Saunders Scott Whitney CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Thomas Friedmann Craig Greenberg Amanda Haskins Samantha Stephens ’11 SENIOR WRITER/EDITOR Scott Whitney ART DIRECTOR/ PROJECT MANAGER Lynn Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY Craig Greenberg Lynn Saunders Deb Shea

inside this issue Fall 2012 | Volume 5 | Issue 3

departments

features

2

Campus Update

6

30

Off the Record

10

32

Class Notes

36

Find out about the latest developments, on campus and off.

Sing the Body Electric: a Q&A discussion with AIC’s Department of Biology.

Check on your fellow alumni and see what they’re up to.

In Memoriam

It's a Large World After All

Rachael Tranter ’14 returns from a supercalifragilesticexpialidocious internship.

Playing the Long Game

AIC alumna and current member of the College’s Board of Trustees recounts a strategic career.

14

Teaching the Life of the Mind

18

A Day in the Life

AIC’s Honors Program and the scholar that makes it possible.

An AIC admissions counselor chronicles one day of recruiting the best.

20 Building a More Perfect Shovel

What have you been up to?

Join AIC’s Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and follow us on Twitter. Feel free to e-mail us at alumni@aic.edu. Please send any comments or suggestions about this publication to editor@aic.edu. We’d love to hear from you!

The physical therapy department tests the latest innovation in snow removal.

24

Balancing Cleats and Class

30

Never Too Late

For AIC’s student-athletes, test scores are as important as field goals.

Octagenarian Richard Thomas fulfills his lifelong goal to graduate college.

Fall 2012 | 1

| campus update |

Letters to the Editor

lucent The Alumni Magazine of American International College

Editor’s Note:

Summer 2012 | Volume 5 | Issue 2

Much thanks to Michael Fortin ’00 for his thoughtful reply on our new Q&A feature,"Off the Record." Our faculty love to hear from all of our alumni.

ar of Events

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or shop around if you’re not , and the place where we hide n make college affordable for ploma.

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e dining commons, talking to wn personal visit to explore AIC.

AIC Professors and Students Respond to a Country in Crisis

Dear Professor Payne, I was a former student of yours from 1998-2000. I recently read the article on the criminal justice program and its professors. It was a very nice article to read and I thought I would update you on my progress. I still remember you pushing me to do that evening class so I could graduate on time. Right after my last semester, I was drafted in the Major League Baseball draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a sign of appreciation at the time, I think I gave you a baseball card and a note? I appreciate you pushing me because it would have been tough to go back to school after being out for so long. Receiving my degree was so critical once baseball ended for me. Now that I am in my current profession within the law enforcement community, I can say thank you for all the knowledge that you and Professor Fitzgerald were able to send me into the field with.

I am currently a Sergeant on the Supreme Court of the United States Police Department. I have been here for 10 plus years and was the youngest ever to make Sergeant on the department. Most people are surprised that the Supreme Court even has a police department. We have 156 police officers on our department. We do the dignitary protection for the Chief Justice and the other eight Justices serving on the Supreme Court (plus the retired ones). Our hiring frequency comes and goes like most agencies, but if any of your current students getting ready to gradu2 | Lucent

ate are interested they can check out USAJOBS.gov for our vacancy announcement or call our recruiters at 202.479.5972 or 202.479.3139. Thanks again for all you do. You’re right; students won’t realize anything until five years down the road! Take care.

Michael R. Fortin ’00

Taking Nothing for Granted AIC faculty receive funding for innovations American International College has recently been awarded the largest grant in its history. The four-year $2.38 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resource Services Administration will enable the College to provide scholarships for nursing students. It is well documented that one of the major barriers for many students who wish to earn their degree is the high cost of tuition.

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program addresses this barrier by providing meaningful scholarship support to disadvantaged nursing students.

The goal of the scholarship program is to promote a strong and diversified work force that will champion prevention and public health activities. n

Editor’s Note: As of this issue, Lucent is changing the format of our alumni’s credentials. If no degree is listed, the alumnus has earned their Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Science degree, or an associate’s degree from American International College. Additionally, Lucent will now list graduate alumni with the degree they earned from AIC.

| campus update |

Starbucks Introduced on Campus Aramark continues programmatic improvements If your day doesn’t start properly until you’ve had a caramel macchiato with steamed soy milk, the AIC campus just got friendlier. At the beginning of the fall semester, the College’s food service provider, Aramark, unveiled Starbucks service in the Schwartz Campus Center.

The program, entitled “We Proudly Serve Starbucks,” replaces the Java City brand previously in place. Though not a full service Starbucks store, the program includes the brand’s most popular beverages, including brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, and frozen frappuccino.

J.R. Wilson, Aramark’s food service director, explains the rationale behind the program change: “I was looking for a national brand that was more recognizable than Java City to attract the grad school and

commuter population,” said Wilson. “Starbucks is a great way to bring them into the building.”

Wilson’s inclusion of Starbucks builds on a series of programmatic changes aimed at introducing popular food outlets to the Hive’s current offerings. Last year, Subway replaced Aramark’s own sandwich program with resounding success. The company experienced a 320 percent increase in deli revenue due to the switch. As a result of improved customer satisfaction, the inclusion of nationally recognized brands such as Subway and Starbucks drives student traffic to the Hive, as opposed to leaving campus in favor of local eateries. n

A Weekend of Memories - Past and Present Homecoming Weekend enjoys remarkable attendance It was a weekend of reuniting with old friends, cheering for AIC sports teams, and hunting spirits in old buildings, as hundreds of alumni returned for Homecoming Weekend, October 19-21.

Heather Cahill, executive director for institutional advancement, said, "We had a wonderful weekend celebrating with alumni and parents. Beautiful weather brought out the crowds."

The three day event kicked off Friday night with the first ever Cocurricular Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Former students from 1962, 1987, 2002, and 2007 were the inaugural inductees recognized for their contributions to campus life.

Meanwhile, faculty member and professional paranormal expert Debbie Kowal was busy leading a group of students and alumni on a ghost hunt through Lee Hall and the Shea Library. With the help of K2 Meters, heat sensors, and audio recording equipment, the group went in search of spirits and

“things that go bump in the night.” As Kowal said, “You never know what you might find."

The newest athletic practice field was dedicated to the Alumni Varsity Club for their support of student athletes. AIC Hall of Fame baseball player Dana Levangie was inducted into the Northeast 10 Hall of Fame. Both honors were well deserved.

The AIC Yellow Jackets provided an exciting Saturday afternoon of football as they beat Bentley 27-23 to stay unbeaten in the conference. Alumni from the classes of 1962 and 1987 were honored at their reunion dinners that evening, and the Homecoming Weekend wrapped up on Sunday morning with a brunch in the Dining Commons.

AIC president Vince M. Maniaci said Homecoming 2012 was definitely the best he has seen in his time at the College and he is already looking forward to an even better event next year. n Fall 2012 | 3

| campus update |

Renovations Support Academic Growth AIC invests in health sciences and technology Students returning to campus this fall were treated to a number of campus improvements. Mark Berman, executive vice president for administration, said it was a busy summer. “This summer the college completed phase II of the renovations to both the nursing and physical therapy labs. We added a new PT lab in order to handle the growth in that program, and we more than doubled the space available in our nursing lab,” Berman said It wasn't all bricks and mortar, though. Berman said there were significant technology enhancements, not only in these labs but in other classrooms. Now nearly 90 percent of all classrooms are equipped with new technology.

possible through a generous gift from the Breck Family with guidance from Barbara Nash Breck ’40.

In the coming year, look for work to begin on a new entrance to the Schwartz Campus Center. “All this is independent of a $3 million capital expenditure planned over the next three years, which will significantly impact energy consumption on campus. We will add new roofs, HVAC units and boilers, as well as funding for new hardscape and landscape,” Berman said. n

“In addition, we renovated the basement of DAR, adding a data center for admissions,” Berman said.

The second phase of the project, which will begin in the spring, will fully remodel the admissions reception and office area.

Breck Hall of Science also received a much needed facelift, including the renovation of stadium style classrooms. Heather Cahill, vice president for institutional advancement, said the renovation was made

Homecoming

The newly renovated basement of DAR houses a data center for admissions.

by the

numbers

3 tents rented • 500 mums planted • 612 decks of AIC playing cards given away • 700 Varsity Club hamburgers grilled 4 | Lucent

| campus update |

From Our Faculty AIC Psychology Professors Speak on Effective Pedagogy Two American International College professors recently presented at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s Best Practices Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Anne Stuart, an associate professor of psychology at AIC, and Sandra Sego, professor and chair of the College’s undergraduate psychology department, presented two talks at the conference, which focused on best practices in teaching statistics and research methods.

Their first talk was titled “Just do it: A hands-on approach to research methods.” Sego said, “We discussed the active learning approach that we use in the PSY315 Experimental Psychology class. Students collect and analyze data from an observational study, create a survey and collect data on it, and do an experiment. This allows students to gain experience with different research methods before they do their final project.”

The professors presented a model in which students conduct the three main types of research done in the social sciences: observational studies, surveys, and experiments. Students participate in these projects by designing materials, collecting data, and analyzing the results as the topics are covered in class. “Rather than

pure lecture, class time is devoted to discussing and critiquing the projects as a way to enhance textbook material. Students can weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these different research designs in order to develop their own research projects,” Sego said.

The second talk was titled “Bridging the gap between statistics and research methods.” Sego explained, “We discussed how we have structured the PSY328 Advanced Statistics course to help students develop a conceptual understanding of statistics, knowing which analysis to do, and being able to interpret the results of the test.”

According to Sego and Stuart, professors and researchers understand how crucial a strong statistical background is for good research methodology.

However, students often fail to appreciate the importance of statistics. “Our department takes a sequential approach across courses in order to integrate statistics and research methodology,” Stuart said. “By introducing, reinforcing, and emphasizing the interdependence of statistics and research methodology across courses, we provide our students a foundation from which they can develop and conduct independent research.” n

Kenney Presents Research on Postural Screening Professor Diana Kenney was recently published in the August 2012 edition of Orthopaedic Nursing. Kenney currently serves as an assistant professor and academic coordinator of clinical education at American International College.

ing process, there is need to continue the program.

“Of the average 437 students screened, approximately one percent screens were confirmed diagnostically.

School nurses believed that postural screening should be continued,” she said.

Kenney, along with colleagues Julie Magee and Elizabeth Mullins, presented their research findings on postural screening in primary and secondary schools in an article aptly titled “Efficacy of and Advocacy for Postural Screening in Public Schools.” Postural screening involves the evaluation of a student’s posture for early detection of either kyphosis or scoliosis.

In 1984, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons endorsed routine school screenings of children for early detection and management of kyphosis and scoliosis. According to Kenney, the purpose was to detect postural curves early and prevent progression to severe forms. Subsequent legislation has been passed in many states in the U.S. mandating postural screening in the public schools. In 1980, Massachusetts mandated postural screening for grades five through nine via a postural screening statute. n

While Kenney’s research showed that very few children were diagnostically confirmed during the screen-

Fall 2012 | 5

Tranter sits atop her safari vehicle, ready to introduce visitors real-life animal kingdom.

6to Disney’s | Lucent

It’s a Large World After All AIC student returns from a magical intership

By Samantha Stephens ’11

Rachael Tranter ’14 was

ready for a “whole new world” when she packed her bags, departed from the American International College campus, and arrived in the magical world of Disney for a semester-long internship. Her responsibilities included 12-hour days of taking park visitors on a Kilimanjaro Safari in the Animal Kingdom under the supervision of Mickey, the premiere Disney icon, who Tranter referred to simply as “The Mouse.”

Fall 2012 | 7

Tranter, a junior psychology major originally from Cold Brook, New York, said she has always loved Disney and when she heard about the Disney College Program (DCP) from her father, who heard about the program through word-of-mouth, she knew right away she wanted to be involved. “He told me it was something I would love to do,” Tranter recalled. “And he was right.” Shortly thereafter, Tranter was among the 7,000 students who are accepted each semester for various roles in the park.

While she didn’t serve in Disney’s most well-known park, The Magic Kingdom, Tranter said she was still able to experience Disney’s best features. Although she spent her days working in the park’s African Sahara, she was also able to sneak away on her days off and spend them enjoying the other magical parts of the Disney property. “Since I worked in the Animal Kingdom, I got to save the magic of princesses and fireworks in the other parks on my days off.

Quite a perk, huh?” Tranter said. “I got the best of both worlds.”

When it came time to work, Tranter experienced everything from ride evacuations, truck breakdowns, animal fights, and medical emergencies. Often seated behind the wheel of one of Disney’s $500,000 trucks, Tranter said the three-hour wait periods and the high expectations for the tour “go hand in hand with being such an amazing company.”

According to Tranter, the most surprising part of working at Disney was her management team. “Even though I worked with 200 other cast members just in safaris, I truly got to know each one of my leaders and became close with my area manager,” Tranter said. “He would set aside time to help me with my résumé, develop career goals, and organize ways to contact other departments that I was interested in.”

8 | Lucent

Tranter in her safari gear (top) and with the park's official host and hostess (bottom).

One of those “other departments” was the Fairytale Weddings, which Tranter said she is interested in working with in the future. While she has interest in becoming a wedding planner, Tranter is unsure what other professional plans she has in mind, or how she will utilize her psychology degree; however, working

in higher education is also a goal. “I want to be involved in higher education because AIC has inspired me so much. I want to be so many things,” Tranter said. “In all honesty, after I graduate, I will probably stay here in Massachusetts and work on my master’s degree in higher education.”

But she has a backup plan, just in case.

“If that doesn’t happen, I’ll most likely go back down to Disney to start a new adventure,” she said. “Working for Disney has opened my eyes to so much. I realized that I now have many connections within that company and the possibilities are endless. Even if I don’t end up working for Disney, I know that they have helped me develop professionally and socially.”

With daily challenges and new experiences, Tranter said the most important lesson she learned was to keep a positive attitude. “There were plenty of times when I was on my seventh safari without a break and no matter how exhausted or tired of talking I was, I always tried to express the element of surprise and happiness,” Tranter said. “Even if it seemed like there was not a single excited person on the safari with me, I knew that there was always one child, or adult, that was as excited as I was to see those animals.”

“Your happiness and good mood instantly transfers to others and when they see you’re happy, they see how they can be happy themselves,” she said. Tranter recalls one safari trip with a little girl from the Make-A-Wish Foundation who rode in the first row and acted as her honorary safari guide, helping to point out animals. At the end of her safari adventure, the girl thanked Tranter and asked for her autograph.

“I will always remember that day. It really does show how even children can teach you wonderful things,” Tranter said.

Among the animals, Tranter said the giraffes were the friendliest. “They were always coming up to the truck,” she said. The rhinos “made the show, especially because one rammed up into my truck one day.” But her favorite animal to show off was Jabali, a baby elephant. “He turned one-year-old in August and loved to chase birds and play in the water. He had such a great personality.”

However, Tranter admitted that there were some difficult animals as well. “Addax [a breed of antelope] are critically endangered and there are less than 500 left in the world. We had five on the reserve. They would always stand in the middle of the road, stomp their feet and we would have to call our Animal Programs Team to come escort them off the road,” Tranter said. “It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it happened at least three times a day.”

Now that she’s back home on the AIC campus, Tranter is looking forward to finishing her academic career at the school she loves. “From the beginning of my application process, AIC has been supportive in whatever path I chose. It was so comforting coming back this year to the AIC family I missed so much,” she said. “AIC faculty and staff also help me in figuring out what my next steps are in terms of graduate school and post-graduation.”

In addition to being a high-achieving student, Tranter is a leader among her peers as a student ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, a peer mentor, assistant editor for the Taper yearbook, and a member of the Student Activities Committee and Outdoor Club. If that wasn’t enough, Tranter is also taking on a new initiative this year. “I am starting a club on campus called Dance Marathon. [We will] raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and help benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital,” Tranter said. “At the end of the year, we will hold a 12 to 40 hour long dance-a-thon to celebrate the fundraising events throughout the year and bring the children and families we are supporting to our event.

It’s a truly humbling experience.”

With a wealth of knowledge and plenty of stories to tell about a well-spent semester, Tranter has confidence in the success of her future endeavors, with the help of a strong support system. “I know whatever I chose to do, both Disney and AIC are going to be here for me,” she said. “I wanted to apply to the DCP because I truly love Disney. I also wanted to develop myself professionally, since Disney is the number one vacation destination in the world. It is also a Fortune 500 Company and is globally recognized. To put it simply, I wanted to make the magic that I have felt since I was three years old and first opened that Snow White VHS on Christmas morning.” n

Fall 2012 | 9

Playing the Long Game Meg Clancy ’79 brings business smarts to AIC’s Board of Trustees

By Thomas Friedmann

10 | Lucent

“A lot of people that I met at AIC—particularly studentathletes—risked everything and it made me realize that you can’t win a game you don’t play. You need to take risks and learn from defeat.”

Y

ou can’t win a game you don’t play.

That’s what Margaret “Meg” Clancy related as one of the most valuable lessons she learned during her time at American International College.

Currently, Clancy is an executive vice president and cofounder of Aptima, Inc., a multi-million dollar research and development company based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Aptima’s services and products are sought after by some of the largest government agencies in the United States, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Aeronautic and Space Adminstration (NASA). Although her talent for business has led Clancy to the top of a competitive field, this “AY Sister” has not left her school spirit behind.

Recently, Clancy was asked to join AIC’s executive board, in addition to her existing role as chair of the enrollment committee. Clancy believes that her experience living in Pouch Hall as a full-time student provides her with insight into campus living, and the needs of students living at the College. “I think anyone who graduated from AIC and lived on campus all four years probably has a special perspective. I am passionate about campus life. I didn’t have a car, I did not go home on weekends, so I was stuck there, and it was important that it was a nice place to be stuck," she said. "It was basically my life for four very formative years.” Now, Clancy brings her experience in business to bear on keeping AIC a healthy and viable institution during challenging economic times. In particular, she underscores the importance of meeting AIC’s financial goals, while “maintaining

the small school feel” that she believes helped her and her community of friends to succeed.

Clancy believes it was the combination of her studies and campus life that helped her become the person that she is today. While pursuing a degree in political science, she was actively engaged as a member of Model Congress, a member of the Greek Alpha Upsilon sorority (the so-called “AY Sisters”) and as a cheerleader. “I definitely feel like I got the traditional well-rounded education, which prepared me for all the facets of my future career,” Clancy said of AIC. “I even dissected a pig.” She then added with a laugh, “It was hard to do after I named it Dr. Seuss.” In addition to a full course load and her extra-curricular activities, she also worked diligently to pay for her education. “At any one time, I was working three jobs,” she said, recalling serving food in the Dining Commons, assisting in the library, and waiting tables at a nearby Friendly’s restaurant.

Clancy credits AIC with inspiring her to take risks.

“I was very shy about failure … not a risk taker,” Clancy said, reflecting on her early college years. “A lot of people that I met at AIC—particularly studentathletes—risked everything and it made me realize that you can’t win a game you don’t play. You need to take risks and learn from defeat.” As she approached graduation, she used this determination to compete for jobs. “I decided that I was going to go out for every job that I was remotely qualified for,” she said.

“I’m not sure the pre-AIC Meg would have done that.”

Fall 2012 | 11

"I am thrilled to see that AIC is still in the business of producing well-rounded, productive, caring individuals.”

Clancy’s determination and hard work would soon pay off. Defense-contracting giant Raytheon Systems, Inc. accepted Clancy into their contracts-management training program, grooming her for rapid advancement. Large-budget contract administration is the business of negotiating agreements between companies that provide products and services and the client organizations that purchase them, and ensuring that the conditions of the agreements are ultimately met. Clancy was put into the field as a contractsspecialist, managing terms of agreement for Raytheon’s renowned Patriot Missile Program. Although she did not know that this is where she was headed, it proved to be an excellent entry into the world of defense contracting—a niche industry that she would continue to pursue in future positions.

While Clancy was working at Raytheon, she attracted the attention of a group of MIT faculty members who hired her to join Alphatech (now BAE Systems), a small startup specializing in signal and image processing for the Department of Defense and other intelligence-gathering organizations. Over her thirteen years at Alphatech, Clancy participated in all aspects of the business, serving in the positions of controller and vice president of administration and finance. “It was an absolutely excellent experience,” she said. “I got to see all the moving parts. It gave me the courage to start a business with my partner, later on.” Before leaving Alphatech to begin her own venture, Clancy went back to school to earn her Master of Business Administration degree at Western New England University, building on her on-the-job experience.

In 1995, Clancy and her colleague Daniel Serfaty identified an opportunity to create a unique business that would specialize in “human engineering,” integrating advanced technology with the science of human performance. Together they launched Aptima, combining Serfaty’s knowledge of human engineering and Clancy’s business administration acumen. Under their leadership, the company’s research centers on maximizing the performance of teams and organizations that must use computer systems effectively 12 | Lucent

in “high stakes” life-and-death missions, such as military combat operations and air traffic control.

Aptima engineers organizations to make the best use of new technology, designs automated systems for effective use by people, and delivers training systems for tomorrow’s skills. Clancy describes Aptima as a company “designing technology to take advantage of how people reason, how they make decisions, and how they interact.”

Under Clancy and Serfaty’s leadership, Aptima provides solutions for agencies across the government and private industry, including the sectors of healthcare, cyber-security, disaster-prevention, national defense, and aeronautics. Their vision for the company is to be the “premier human-centered engineering business in the world.” With over 125 employees and four offices, and after being named twice on Inc. magazine’s annual list of America’s 5000 fastest growing companies, they are well on their way to achieving that goal. “I hope to keep growing the company into new areas,” said Clancy. “I enjoy being a job creator.”

As for her goals on AIC’s Board of Trustees, Clancy noted that she looks forward to aiding the College in expanding its academic programs in growing career markets. “[AIC] has made some really smart decisions about branching out their offerings, particularly in the health care industry,” noted Clancy. “I’d like to see more of that—where college leads to good job opportunities. They recognize that and are committed to it.” Informed by more than 30 years of business experience, Clancy’s perspective is a welcome addition.

Beyond the professionalism for which Clancy credits the College, there is a deeper sense of appreciation for AIC that one can hear in her voice as she remembers her years there. “It was a really special time in my life,” Clancy said of her undergraduate years at AIC. “My gratitude to the College is deep. I am thrilled to see that AIC is still in the business of producing well-rounded, productive, caring individuals.” With Meg Clancy’s strong sense of pride in her alma mater, coupled with her keen business savvy, the future of AIC would appear to be in good hands. n

Fall 2012 | 13

14 | Lucent

teaching the ife of the ind

Dr. Tom Maulucci and the rise of AIC’s Honors Program

By Scott Whitney

Seated behind a wooden desk piled high with printed materials of all stripes, Thomas Maulucci placed both hands palm down and leaned his head back in thought. His retreat into his own intellect is palpable. “It's an interesting question,” he deadpanned. “Can there be history if there are no human beings around? Because there's nobody to tell the story.” He leaned forward, as if gaining mental traction. “But if you think about some of the other sciences, like astronomy, certain types of physics, biology, geology—all of those sciences are essentially historical disciplines as well.”

Friendly but reserved, American International College's chair of the History Department seems most comfortable when immersed in scholarly conversation.

In fact, he has built a life around it. Growing up, Maulucci found himself drawn to tales of adventure and mythology, “all of those things that little boys are interested in.” This fascination soon extended to historical movies, war movies, and eventually, the scholastic discipline of history.

Thomas Maulucci, surrounded by several of his honors students: (from l to r) Christina Romeo ’13, physical therapy major; Conor Kennedy ’14, history major; and Aubri Bailly ’15, communications major.

Fall 2012 | 15

A Gentleman and a Scholar After completing his undergraduate work at Canisius College in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, Maulucci spent a year as a Fulbright scholar at the Universitaet des Saarlandes in Saarbruecken, Germany. In 1992, he completed another year of dissertation research in Germany before returning to the United States to earn his doctorate in history at Yale University. The trajectory of his education—from international relations to political science to history— has profoundly affected Maulucci's philosophical relationship with history. “There are historians that emphasize theory, but people like me are trained to go to the sources…I do think that history is more of a social science,” he explained. As a result, Maulucci often challenges the aphorism that 'those that don't study history are doomed to repeat it'; however, for him that in no way undermines its value as a discipline. “Studying history is useful because you need to process information in your mind and then tell the story in a way that's going to be convincing,” he said.

“Those are skills that are going to be very helpful for students in their future careers.”

inquisitiveness that the College aims to cultivate in all of its students.

When Maulucci arrived on the AIC campus in August, 2006, he brought his intellectual rigor to bear on a very different student population than he was previously accustomed. Emerging from a traditional academic environment, Maulucci soon embraced the role of dynamic educator in order to best serve his students. “When he came here, he was very much a stand and deliver kind of lecturer, and he's worked very hard to do things differently,” explains Dean Hess. Making his subject matter accessible to students was all the more urgent, given that Maulucci had arrived to a suspended history major with no incoming freshmen. “He grew that major literally from nothing,” said Hess. “He's built a curriculum; he's connected with adjuncts to cover areas that he couldn't…It's not huge now, but it's solid, and they're doing very cool things.”

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To illustrate his belief that history should be scientifically examined for patterns, if not for essential truths, Maulucci points to the record of societies in which young men find themselves untethered to a family structure. “Whether you're talking about colonial Virginia in the 1600s or Lawrence, Kansas, back in the 1880s—and we may be facing the same situation in places like China, where there are so many more young men than women—you're going to have a higher propensity for violence,” he explains. “Is [that pattern] going to tell you how to reshape social policy or laws that deal with violent crime? I have no idea, but you can see patterns that have validity.”

A conversation with Maulucci is an exercise in critical thinking. He often argues for opposing ideas in a matter of minutes, echoing the American poet Walt Whitman's declaration, “Do I contradict myself ? / Very well then, I contradict myself. / (I am large; I contain multitudes.)” Vickie Hess, dean of AIC's School of Arts, Education, and Sciences, put it succinctly. “It's dialectic tension,” she said with a shrug.

“In an age that is very stark, he's nuanced. He thinks very deeply about things.” Maulucci's tendency toward all things scholarly has made him an iconic figure on the AIC campus, embodying the academic 16 | Lucent

"[Professor Maulucci's] like the CEO of a business that trades in a currency of ideas and critical thought.”

A large part of Maulucci's success in the classroom lies in his awareness that students must see practical application in the discipline. With his freshmen, he uses Malcolm Gladwell's nonfiction novel, Outliers, a text that explores the various determinants of success.

“Gladwell has this famous 10,000 hour rule,” he explained. “He claims that if you want to get really good at something, you have to practice at it for 10,000 hours.” Maulucci likes the practicality of contemporary texts for students, and the ways in which such texts allow them to access big ideas. “I thought that it would be fun to use best-selling pop culture books that have come out recently on topics such as the way that we learn and the way that we perceive things,” he said. “I want to see the kind of reaction I get.”

On Their Honor In addition to the “cool things” that Maulucci is able to do in the classroom, he has also built the College's Honors Program into one of academic rigor and opportunity. Under Maulucci's auspices, the program offers students an accelerated program of study, offcampus field trips, and a leadership role in bringing speakers on campus. Additionally, students' honors experience culminates in a presentation of their honors thesis in their senior year.

Christina Romeo ’13, an honor student and physical therapy major, noted the academic advantage provided by classes specific to honors students. “There's a lot more participation; people seem a little more willing to give their ideas,” said Romeo. For Maulucci, this experience showcases the program's primary function.

“The reason that this program developed in the first place is to hold and retain our excellent students,” he said. “We want to give students who may not be particularly inspired or challenged a chance to explore.”

AIC honor student Conor Kennedy ’14 has experienced Maulucci's ability to intellectually inspire through the College's Model United Nations, of which Maulucci is advisor. Regarding that program, Kennedy noted that the professor manages to create discussions that are both erudite and engaging. “He's like the CEO of a business that trades in a currency of ideas and critical thought,” said Kennedy.

Maulucci is also keenly aware of the place an Honors Program holds on a campus that prides itself on egalitarianism and educating an underserved population. “In fifth grade, I was the only kid that showed up to the free throw shooting contest at the parish fair. And despite the fact that I wasn't able to hit the rim, I still got a trophy,” he recalled. “It doesn't always work for everyone to get a prize. We have to ensure that people are going to get a good education, and the way to do that is to challenge students. It's good that there is a self-selected group of honors students.” Regarding the program's philosophical underpinnings, Hess agrees. “Egalitarianism means that we give you the opportunity to be something that you might not have realized that you can be. And you choose the life that you want,” she said. “Tom's work creates that opportunity.”

At the conclusion of each school year, the Honors Program's senior students sit in the hot seat and

publicly argue their culminating thesis in a public presentation. Last year's thesis topics included a study of hooliganism among sports fans and a consideration of the efficacy of Trident in combatting tooth decay. In her role as dean, Hess is invested in the quality of these presentations, which she believes is on the rise. “I'm seeing more and more emphasis on rules of evidence,” she said. “I'd love to see more true research, which I think will come in time.” Maulucci agrees: “A student needs to have produced some original thought and work…They have to be able to draw some conclusions over the course of a couple of months of study.”

In addition to furnishing students with the opportunity for academic rigor, Maulucci has become a gateway to culture within the city of Springfield. Having served for several years on the board of the Springfield Public Forum, he has connected his students with a variety of events, including this year's debate between senatorial candidates Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown. Maulucci also brought several honors students to meet New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz at a speaking event this past fall.

“He's taken the productive and intellectual resource that is the Springfield Public Forum and connected it with an intellectually productive group of people in the Honors Program,” said Kennedy, who considers meeting Shortz one of the highlights of his life.

Though the Honors Program has enjoyed notable success and growth in recent years, Maulucci maintains a modest perspective. “It's not like the program is going to produce a revolution in somebody's life,” he said. “We're hoping to find someone that is already thinking that intellectual life is fun and is looking to push themselves a bit; they need to be self starters…

So if I get compliments, or the program does, it's actually a compliment to the students, because they're doing it for themselves.”

According to Kennedy, Maulucci's modesty is a bit misplaced. “If I want a good intellectual conversation, I go to Professor Maulucci. If I want to talk about becoming an educator or find out what is coming to Springfield in the next few months, I talk to Professor Maulucci. He's like the Walmart of scholarship.”

He pauses. “Actually, he might find Target more palatable.” Kennedy scratches his head, searching for a more apt analogy. “No, Whole Foods. Yeah, that's it.” n Fall 2012 | 17

a Day in the Life of an Admissions Counselor A freshmen admissions counselor takes us with her on the road.

By Amanda Haskins

Some call it nomadic. Some call it adventurous. I just call it an average day at work during the fall recruitment season.

As an admissions counselor for American International College, part of my job is to travel throughout the Northeast—from local high schools right in our backyard to national college expositions across New England— to educate guidance counselors, high school students, and families about the academic opportunities that AIC offers. At college fairs representing more than 200 higher education institutions, all I have to do is convince students that AIC is the best fit for them…out of all the other schools there. The pressure is on, but I'm up for the challenge.

Before every college fair, I put on my game face and my “go get em’, tiger” attitude. I steer interested students toward majors that fit their career goals, challenge students just looking to snag a free pen to at least ask a question, and try to prepare myself as much as possible for the parent that wants to know the exact percentage of students with brown eyes that were accepted into AIC’s biochemistry program and went on to get jobs in [insert random state] in the last twelve years. It’s a hectic job, but somebody has to do it!

There are a few things you need to enjoy in order to be a successful admissions counselor on the road: • L aughing. When the occasional student walks up to you and asks if the “MA” in Springfield, MA, stands for Montana, or if you have herpetology as a major and you have no idea what herpetology is, you have to be able to laugh about it. (And in case you ever need to know, herpetology is the study of reptiles.)

• Th e voice of your GPS. In a job where it’s not uncommon to drive over 500 miles a week, sometimes your GPS is the best companion you have. Choose your voice wisely.

• C offee, wraps, and cookies: This is the ubiquitous trio of goodies in all college representatives’ refreshment room.

Caffeine and cholesterol and carbs, oh my!

Yes, it's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but I love my job. It’s now my pleasure to share with you what goes on behind the scenes before, during, in between, and after college fairs.

7:10 a.m.: Morning Essentials

The key to a successful road trip: strong coffee, cool sunglasses, and great music (CD of the day: Maroon 5, Overexposed).

3:22 p.m.: Come to Connecticut to See the…Sights?

Have you ever stopped to look through some of the brochures in hotel lobbies? “Touch a shark” (THAT’S a regional attraction?), “CIA revealed” (do they REALLY want to be revealing the secrets of the Central Intelligence Agency?), and so much more!

8:19 a.m.: The Gas Challenge Same Day, Different States I know Massachusetts residents don’t have the best reputation for driving, but at least we have relatively reasonable gas prices!

3:29 p.m.: One of These Pillows Is Not Like the Others!

Despite the fact that hotels are infamous for giving more pillows than one can reasonably sleep on, I always bring my own pillow to give me a little taste of home while I’m on the road.

9:07 a.m.: Me vs. The Stairs

This is never a sight you want to see when you’re carrying almost 50 pounds of admissions materials!

12:18 p.m.: Is This a High School or a Museum?

This high school could get away with charging the same admission price as the Basketball Hall of Fame.

1:48 p.m.: Panera Bread, A Daily Pilgrimage for Traveling Admissions Counselors

Healthy (and delicious) food, free Wi-Fi to get some work done, and bread so good that it doesn’t even require butter.

Need I say more?

5:57 p.m.: Dinner of Champions

When given the choice between eating healthy sandwiches or delicious desserts consisting of snicker doodles, peanut blossoms, and candy corn Rice Krispie treats, I’m going to give in to my sweet tooth.

8:44 p.m.: When You Give an Admissions Counselor a Cookie…

After a long day of sitting in the car, standing at college fairs, and eating my fair share of desserts, it’s time to get in a good workout.

9:37 p.m.: Don’t Worry, I Recycle

Admissions counselors rarely have the problem of staying hydrated. In fact, I accumulated these bottles in the course of just two days!

Building a more

By Scott Whitney

perfect shovel

Adriana Nocera ’15, Lindsey Anderson ’15, Julia Beatty ’15, Bethany Stosz ’15 and Professor Pat Carley test the SnowBow.

Our story may end at American International College, but it begins nearly 12,000 years ago in Neolithic Britain. Some poor soul, faced with the task of moving a pile of dirt from one location to another, wisely employed the shoulder blade of an ox to scoop up the debris, thus saving time and his back. Lo, the shovel was born. Fast forward to contemporary New England: likely, the sight of a snow shovel doesn’t scream ease and innovation, but as winter rears its dark and stormy head we may ask 'where would we be without them?'

Our Neolithic inventor might find his contemporary counterpart in the form of John Mosher, an industrial engineer from Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Faced with an especially snowy winter season in 2011, Mosher did what engineers do—he put his mind to the task of making an unpleasant job just a little easier. “If there’s a better way to do it, I want to put a better product in people’s hands,” he explained. Using his background in biomechanics, Mosher set out to design a shovel that would have a lower impact on the user’s back muscles compared to traditional shovels, thereby reducing muscle fatigue and exhaustion, as well as mitigating against back injuries.

at it from the tool-to-user perspective, and he’s looking at it from the user-to-tool perspective. We pretty quickly understood each other’s language.”

Once Carley understood the problems inherent to snow shoveling, which Mosher’s design aimed to alleviate, he began to put together a series of studies with AIC students as his subjects. Carley’s study required subjects to mimic the act of shoveling with three different shovel designs, each weighted with seven pounds of load: a traditional shovel, an “ergonomic” shovel, and Mosher’s SnowBow. Participants were asked to repeatedly lift the weighted shovel and tap a target in order to qualify for a valid count.

Initially, Carley and his students focused on the muscular activity in their subjects using an electromyograph (EMG). However, they soon discovered that there was another measurable to be considered, particularly for an activity performed in a cold environment.

“The EMGs told us that the subjects were using less muscles in the back, compared to a regular shovel,” said Carley. “But we realized that there was something that was more important than measuring the back, and that’s heart rates.” He further explained that because shoveling takes place in low temperatures, the cardiovascular system is taxed more. This is partially why many people find shoveling to be such an exhausting exercise, and on that count, the SnowBow seemed to support Mosher’s claims. “We found in early testing that people would shovel more [with the SnowBow] and have lower heart rates,” said Carley. “John felt that he could bring that data to Home Depot or Lowes and confidently say, ‘This product is great.’”

“Pat deeply understands the mechanics of the body…We pretty quickly understood each other’s language.”

Though ‘ergonomically correct’ shovels currently exist on the market, Mosher was frustrated by their ineffectiveness. “There are a lot of claims on the market as to what a product can do, but there are no objective claims to back that up,” he said. Consequently, Mosher fabricated a new shovel design out of PVC pipe that he believed would truly lessen the strain of shoveling and dubbed it the “SnowBow,” due to the curved shape of its handle. The efficacy of Mosher’s new design seemed to be supported by informal testing (mostly conducted by him and his wife), but he would need outside help to validate his claims. “I was looking for somebody that could provide scientific data to either confirm or not confirm what my design was going to improve upon,” he said. A chance encounter with a curious passerby brought him to Dr. Patrick Carley, a professor in American International College’s Department of Physical Therapy. After consulting with Carley, Mosher felt that the partnership would be a good fit. “Pat deeply understands the mechanics of the body,” noted Mosher. “I’m looking 22 | Lucent

As Carley observed his test subjects repeatedly performing the shoveling motion, he noted that a slight tweaking of Mosher’s design would improve the results. Additionally, Carley noted that the effectiveness of the design seemed dependent on gender; the SnowBow’s original design seemed less effective with women than with men. “I asked John if he ran into that with his wife or other women that had tried it out, and he had.” After further studies, Mosher provided a modified version of the SnowBow that was better suited to those with a shorter posture.

According to Carley, the effectiveness of the SnowBow is deeply related to the physics concept of “moment arms.” By definition, a moment arm is the distance between a line of force and the axis of rotation. Carley explained further by holding a hand weight at a 90-degree angle. “When I hold it like this [closer to the body], it feels easy. But if I hold it like this, [Carley holds weight at his arm’s full extension, thus increasing the moment arm] it feels heavier. The weight hasn’t changed, but the distance from the axis has changed, and we define that as a moment arm.”

The strength of the SnowBow’s design lies in the user’s ability to stand upright as he or she shovels, shortening the moment arm and reducing the effort it takes to throw a shovel full of snow. “When you’re leaning over, your back is trying to hold up your weight and the weight of the snow,” said Carley. “If I do this [he stands up and grips the SnowBow appropriately], now the moment arm is very short, so my back muscles don’t need to work very hard. We knew that biomechanically, but we got confirmation when we tested it objectively.”

How does the science of the SnowBow compare to that of other ergonomically-designed shovels on the market? “We found that ergonomic ones get people to bend a little differently, but it doesn’t get them up to the posture that the SnowBow does,” said Carley.

“That can be dangerous, because if you think that it’s saving your back, you might be tempted to lift more than you can handle.”

The SnowBow’s design also allows the user to hold it in multiple positions, thus decreasing fatigue. “If you give the body opportunity to modify a task, [the user] will actually do the task longer and get more efficient at it,” said Carley. “The participants felt that there was a learning curve using this thing…I saw that they changed their positions, learning to use it differently.”

For Carley and his students, the experience with the SnowBow has been an invaluable exercise in applied learning. “[Physical therapy] students have to do some kind of research at the doctoral level. So they have to get into the logistics of how you gather data, who your subjects should be, and how you treat the data,” said Carley. Exploring Mosher’s claims concerning his invention has given physical therapy students a real-world application to the theory of biomechanics, according to Carley. “If you can show the

application [for biomechanics], then when you have people doing exercises, you not only understand what they’re doing, but you can improve the way in which this person exercises,” he said. “If you can communicate that effectively so that the patient understands, not only do they know that they’re going to the right person, but they think that you’re a genius.”

Carley's experience with the SnowBow is not the first time that he has been able to bring real-world application into his classroom. He has also developed relationships between AIC’s Physical Therapy Department and local companies, including Hasbro and Boeing; both partnerships have yielded the opportunity to put classroom theory into practice. In the case of the Boeing corporation, Carley and his students were charged with determining what type of floor surface would be best suited for workers who stood for prolonged periods of time. An anticipated article in the trade journal Applied Ergonomics will chronicle the study’s findings. Another study that Carley and his students conducted for local toymaker Hasbro tested a robotic arm which, when attached to a subject’s forearm by means of an adjustable cuff, facilitated repeated lifting. By aiding this motion, the machine significantly reduced fatigue in workers, albeit looking like a prop from Star Wars. When the fit of the arm cuff proved to be a problem, it was an AIC physical therapy student that furnished the solution.

“She looked at it and said, ‘Give me a couple of days to figure this out,’” said Carley. “We went back to the company with a new design and they’re like, ‘Genius!’”

From his work with the SnowBow to his experiments with Hasbro’s robotic arm, Carley strongly believes in the power of applied learning for students, a repeat theme across AIC’s campus. “Particularly for this generation, they have to see application,” he said. “If not, it’s worthless.

It gets shoved into some closet in the brain.” n

Fall 2012 | 23

Balancing Cleats and Class AIC student-athletes shoot and score‌ on the field and in the classroom

By Samantha Stephens ’11

24 | Lucent

The college years

can be challenging ones. With a never-ending list of assignments, projects, and tests, in addition to activities and socialization, it’s often a struggle for students to manage a busy schedule. For athletes at American International College, balancing schoolwork, social obligations, and their rigorous athletic schedule are part of everyday life.

College athletes often labor under the stereotype of academic slackers who skate by in their studies in order to continue playing their sport. In contrast to this characterization, AIC is home to athletes that care about more than their on-field or on-court performance. The campus-wide culture of equally valuing academics and athletics is partly due to the College’s “3.0 Club.” Athletes who are inducted into this club have successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher, and have met the requirements to play on an AIC team. With nearly 50 percent of the College’s student-athletes receiving recognition as members of the 3.0 Club, it is clear that Yellow Jackets play hard and study hard.

Christopher Markiewicz, a senior defenseman for the AIC men’s ice hockey team, admits that balancing the responsibilities of a student and an athlete can be challenging—but with his 3.85 GPA, it’s obvious that he has found a way to make it work. “You mainly get your balance from being committed, responsible, and organized,” Markiewicz said. “You need to actually motivate yourself to do it all.”

“The student-athlete life is much easier if you stay ahead of everything and never fall behind. Other than yourself, the professors play a part because they are extremely understanding of our busy schedules and try their best to accommodate everyone,” Markiewicz added. (continued on the following page)

Women's soccer player Bryony Parker ’13 deftly balances athletics and a solid GPA.

Fall 2012 | 25

Markiewicz, who can be found in the skating rink on many evenings and weekends, spends his days as a finance and economics major. Despite his passion for business and the strong support of his professors, Markiewicz occasionally finds himself exhausted, both mentally and physically. “There are times where you want a day off but a complete day off is rare in the life of a student-athlete,” said Markiewicz. “On the other hand…it definitely prepares you for the real world by forcing you to deal with a busy schedule and meet deadlines.”

Even though she has been benched for her safety, Parker is still a member of the soccer team and is expected to be at practices, games, and other milestones.

“It is tremendously challenging to fit everything in.

More so this year, as I have classes, soccer, rehab, an internship three days a week, and I also work parttime for Coach Johnson dealing with compliance issues,” Parker said. “Undoubtedly, it is stressful at times but the key is to prioritize and use effective time management skills, which I have refined over the years.”

Markiewicz remains positive about his intense schedule, adding that there is something to be learned from the late nights and early mornings. “It helps you develop your responsibility and organizational skills.”

Parker, who said her day typically starts at 6:30 a.m., has found her balance and managed to maintain a 3.99 GPA. “That A- in elementary French my freshman year is going to haunt me forever,” she said.

In order to maintain a nearly perfect GPA, Parker has particular study habits and prefers to be alone rather than in a group. “I have to study in silence; otherwise, I get nothing accomplished,” Parker said.

She added that, despite the effort it takes to be a top athlete, achieving that status has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her college experience. “The benefits of being a student-athlete include the familyoriented environment that surrounds the sport. We are all there for one another, and being an international student, this really diminished my homesickness my first year. ” Parker said.

For Bryony Parker ’13, an international student from England, planning her college career strategically has helped her manage her workload and allowed her the opportunity to pick up an extra major. As a psychology and communications double major at AIC, as well as a member of the women’s soccer team, good time management has afforded her academic opportunity. “I have a real passion for writing, and I love a challenge,” she said. Parker dreams of becoming a sports commentator or news anchor upon completing her schooling.

“The benefits of being a studentathlete include the family-oriented environment that surrounds the sport. We are all there for one another."

Due to a major injury in her sophomore year, Parker suffered a dislocated kneecap and damaged articular cartilage in her knee. She also had two lesions and has undergone as many surgeries, neither of which has enabled her to return to the soccer field or eliminated pain. “This past April I had open knee surgery in Boston along with a tibial tubercle osteotomy which involved the breaking of my tibia in order to realign my patella,” she said. “This was my last chance to get back on the field, and although I am still not allowed to run for a few more months, my goal is to be back on the field for AIC next year.”

26 | Lucent

The students aren’t the only ones proud of their high achievement. Matt Johnson, assistant athletic director and coach of the women’s soccer team, said athletespecific academic rewards, including the 3.0 Club, have inspired young or transfer students to aspire to be high-performing students. “The first component of the 3.0 Club is to identify and reward all of the kids who are taking care of business in the classroom. The second component is to get new players to start thinking right away about academics,” Johnson said. He added that there are also benefits to the school in having high-achieving athletes, including scholarship availability and cost-savings with the NCAA. Johnson said students who pay attention in class aren’t only better performing academically, but are often stronger members of their team. “We try to talk to our coaches about finding the kids who aren’t just great athletes. It’s just as important to bring kids in who do well academically,” Johnson said. “They’re likely to be good citizens within the AIC community.” n

You can

make a difference

Provide the opportunities that you’ve enjoyed to the next generation of graduates The 2012 “I Can Make a Difference” campaign has begun at American International College. Since 1885, AIC has been making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of students. Subsequently, each of our alumni has touched the lives of others with the skills and talents that they’ve sharpened over time. Thousands of AIC students, alumni, faculty members, coaches, and administrators have been making a difference—from Springfield to every corner of the globe!

Due to the far-reaching impact of an AIC education, it seemed appropriate to name our annual fund the “I Can Make a Difference” campaign. With this campaign, we ask you to allow the advantages that your degree has afforded you to make a difference in the lives of the next generation of AIC students.

Our students and alumni have told us that they benefited from the supportive community that constitutes the “AIC difference” in a variety of ways, including by means of: • a professor who helped make sense of the subject that most challenged them.

• the impact of a coach who encouraged success both on the field and in the classroom.

• an AIC graduate who helped secure the interview that launched their career.

The tools that we use to make a difference in the lives of our students do come at a cost.

The gifts that AIC receives as part of our annual fund are largely responsible for endowing the success of our students. Gifts of every size, from $10 to $10,000, have a significant impact, particularly when considered collectively.

Over 22,000 of our alumni and friends received a mailed invitation to be a part of this fall’s “I Can Make a Difference” campaign. In the first few weeks of the campaign, we saw an increase of 6 percent over last year, in terms of those alumni and friends who have accepted our invitation to give to this year’s annual fund. We hope to see this trend continue throughout the fiscal year.

Will you consider making a gift to the “I Can Make a Difference” Annual Fund campaign? Together with all of AIC's alumni and friends, you can make a significant difference in the lives of today’s students at AIC.

Fall 2012 | 27

Sing the Body Electric AIC’s Biology Department

By Scott Whitney In this issue of Lucent, we continue our Q&A series, “Off the Record,” featuring a conversation with three members of AIC’s Biology Department.

While the discussion will begin in the pages of this magazine, you will find it continued on the AIC website at the link cited below. We encourage you to be a part of the conversation and reach out to your former professors via the alumni Facebook page. We will be closely watching for your comments and will see to it that you are put in touch with the faculty, coaches, and staff that made a difference during your time at AIC. A discussion with Professors Amelia Janeczek (AJ), Charles Boyd (CB), and Susan Young (SY). Members of the Biology Department not featured include Professors Robert Benard and Rehka Singh, as well as biology instructor David Luzgin.

Lucent: Your department is relatively new, in terms of faculty.

AJ: I guess I’m senior faculty member. I was junior when I came here.

I was the kid.

Lucent: How does that contribute to the feel of your department, that it’s relatively young?

CB: I think the biggest change was when Professor [David] Ahlberg left.

AJ: Right, he had been the chair for many years and the department reflected his personality quite a bit. So when he retired, we turned over a new leaf, if you will.

CB: And I was hired when he left.

AJ: Right, but with a different expertise. What we need in a Biology Department are people that have the expertise in every area of biology.

We need someone with a molecular focus: Bob [Benard] has a zoology, organismal ecology focus; Susan is our microbiologist; I’m sort of the cell/histologist, if you will. When we hire new people, we’re really not replacing anyone; we’re covering the content of biology.

(Continue our discussion at www.aic.edu/offtherecord) 28 | Lucent

| off the record |

“AIC has done a really good job of bringing technology into the classroom, which I really appreciate.�

Professor Charles Boyd Fall 2012 | 29

Never Too Late West Springfield man earns AIC degree at 81

By Scott Whitney

Richard Thomas ’12 has been known by many titles over the course of his professional lifetime: chairman, vice president, president, and owner…to name a few.

However, it likely never occurred to his colleagues to put “college dropout” on that list. Yet, at 81 years of age, it was his incomplete bachelor’s degree that continued to haunt him, nearly 60 years after leaving American International College with one semester remaining.

“I was a very poor student,” Thomas recalled of his time at AIC in the mid 1950s. “I was opening a new business at the time and was newly married. I felt an obligation to make a living and support my family, so I didn’t do well at AIC at that time. But to be honest with you, it’s been on my mind every year since.” In their West Springfield home, Thomas and his wife Barbara have festooned their dining room wall with photographs of their four children receiving their college diplomas. Having successfully completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from AIC last spring, Thomas is eager to place his photo alongside those of his sons and daughters.

To say that Thomas’s path to graduation was unconventional is an understatement. After leaving AIC in 1956, he began his professional career as owner and operator of Thomas Luncheonette and Dairy Bar in the city of Springfield’s North End. Thomas’s entrepreneurial spirit manifested itself during those early years. “The head guy from Breck shampoo would come in everyday for lunch, and he asked me one day if I could go and install a luncheonette in their factory,” said Thomas. “He asked me how much I would 30 | Lucent

need to do that and I said, ‘I want a letter from Mr. Breck himself saying that I did a good job, if I do a good job.’ And that’s what my pay was.”

In the ensuing years, Thomas went on to establish a successful real estate firm in the Springfield area, with his wife’s indispensable assistance. “My wife was my first secretary. She had a baby in one hand and answered phones with the other,” he said. Thomas noted the gratitude that he owes his wife on numerous counts. “My wife has been a great influence on me.

Anything good that came out of me came from her.”

Included in her support was the push that Thomas needed to finally address his unfinished degree. “I got a postcard from AIC about taking some summer classes,” he recalled. “I told Barbara I was thinking of taking a course and…she said ‘Well, you’ve been talking about it for 60 years. Why don’t you just go do it!’” Emboldened by his wife’s support, Thomas made a call to Pam Robinson, AIC’s program manager for the School of Continuing Education. “I went to an interview with Pam and told her what my goal was…

She looked at my marks, which were horrible, but we found a way to make it work.” In the face of daunting obstacles, Thomas struck Robinson as “very diligent, eager to learn, and humble,”—a successful recipe for a returning student.

In the ensuing months, Thomas balanced nine classes to complete his degree. As with any student, some classes resonated more than others. “I took a philosophy course and the professor said, ‘Is this your left hand?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Is this your right hand?’

I said, ‘Yes.’ And then he said, ‘Well, sometimes your

left is right and your right is left.’” Thomas throws his hands up in mock exasperation. “That sunk me!”

However, he admits that most of his courses felt far more concrete. “My first professor taught me about the Holocaust. I’m of Lebanese extraction, which is Arabic, so I wanted to know more about the Holocaust,” said Thomas. “I knew what it was; I knew how horrific it must have been, but I never knew in depth what it was like until I took this course.” Thomas noted that the intellectual enrichment he gained from his studies was one of his greatest rewards.

Over the years, Thomas enjoyed an impressive array of opportunities. In addition to his success as a real estate agent, he served as chairman of the Hampden County Commissioners for 24 years, during which time he was instrumental in the building of the Hampden County Hall of Justice and several other courthouses in the area.

With a storied career already behind him, Thomas acknowledges that pursuing his bachelor’s degree was a matter of personal satisfaction. “I built a fairly large company, a fairly large insurance department, and a real estate school. I was able to complete all of that, but this thing was hanging over my head.”

Last May, after a lifetime of countless jobs and titles, Thomas finally earned the one distinction that had eluded him for six decades: college graduate. “I never thought that I’d feel this exuberant about it. I look at [my diploma] every day.” He credited AIC for making the daunting goal of earning his degree achievable. “I knew the school was good and the professors were capable. But most importantly, it was where I started…and that’s where I wanted to finish.” n

Alumni profiles

| class notes | Carol Alim ’68 Major: Mathematics Career: Application Architect for National Geographic Alumni Director: What is your most memorable experience at AIC? Carol: A drive to Lowell with two friends to locate the original site of AIC, founded in 1885 as the French Protestant College.

Alumni Director: How do you like to reward yourself when you reach a goal that you’ve set for yourself?

Carol: Usually, I take some time to enjoy my achievement and then set a new goal. Sometimes, I go shopping or out to a nice restaurant for dinner.

Alumni Director: What is the best book that you have read in the last year?

Carol: Scorpions by Noah Feldman, a biography about four of FDR’s appointees to the Supreme Court: Felix Frankfurter, Hugo Black, Robert Jackson, and William Douglas. It was fascinating to see the logic they followed in reaching some controversial decisions.

Alumni Director: If you could go back to college, what single thing might you do differently?

Carol My time at AIC was a great experience. I spent a lot of time on campus, was involved in many activities, but it would have been nice to live on campus.

Alumni Director: How would you complete this sentence: YOU KNOW YOU WENT TO AIC IF: Carol: You had freshman biology with Dr. Gadaire in Lee Hall.

Fall 2012 | 31

+

| class notes | Dear Alumni, In the fall 2012 edition of Lucent, we asked you to please tell us about the photo to the right. The response we received from Walter McCarthy ’63 is printed below the photo.

Walter also included a copy of the photo that ran in The Springfield Union, which identified the Santas as Donald DeRossa, Joseph Occhiuti, Walter McCarthy, Joseph Servidio, Barry Reikard and Philip DeRosa.

We invite you to respond to our new installment of “Tell us about this photo” seen below. We look forward to hearing your story.

Danielle Goldaper Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Dear Danielle, Your Santa photo query brought back fond memories. This particular photo was followed by pictures that were printed in the Christmas Day (1961) issue of The Springfield Union.

What occasioned the picture(s) was an opportunity to serve as Santa Claus helpers at the Christmas festival of the Springfield Institution for Savings (SIS) on Thanksgiving Saturday. Dr. Richard Sprinthall, chair of the Psychology Department and SIS consultant, approached each of us with the offer to serve and a $50 inducement (good money, then).

I believe Joe Servidio and Phil Zelazo graduated in 1962, with the remainder as 1963 graduates.

Keep up the fine work on Lucent.

Sincerely yours, Walter McCarthy ’63

Tell us about this photo!

We would love to know who is in it, what they were doing, and where they are now. Tell your story to Danielle Goldaper at danielle.goldaper@aic.edu. We will draw a name from the responses and send that person a gift from AIC.

32 | Lucent

| class notes |

1940s

Stamos Zades ’49 celebrated

his 90th birthday with his family at his summer home in Lexington, New York.

1950s

Raymond Lozier ’51 of West Deptford, New Jersey, is enjoying retirement with his wife. They like to garden and enjoy canning their produce.

Henry Lenart ’58 recently

created “Friends of the Moses Reservation,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Camp Woronoco in Russell, Massachusetts.

Doris Ransford ’58 retired in

May from her post as president of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce after 26 years.

1960s

Otto Welker ’60 is “semi-

retiring” now that he has sold his Sixteen-Acres Mobil gas station in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Welker was known for putting in more than 70 hours a week at his Mobil station, just because he wanted to make sure that his customers were always cared for.

Stephen Jendrysik ’62 has

published his fourth book on the town of Chicopee. The newest book from the Pioneer Valley historian is entitled Chicopee 1950-1975. Jendrysik has called Chicopee home for all of his 72 years.

70th Reunion Idea

Mary Raissi Stewart ’42 stopped in to visit the alumni office. She asked if we had

plans to host a reunion for classes from the early 40s. We thought that was a great idea! We are inviting members of the Classes of 1942, 1943, and 1944 to come to campus next June to celebrate. Send us your ideas to make it a success at alumni@aic.edu. Look for an invitation early next year.

Michael Sobon ’66 was honored at the 85th Annual National Conference for Community and Justice awards at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this past June. Sobon and his wife received human relations awards from the NCCJ because of their charitable works in the community.

Jim Calhoun ’68 has retired from coaching the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team after 26 years. Calhoun won 873 games in 40 years as head coach, first at Northeastern and then at the University of Connecticut. He also put four teams in the Final Four, winning national titles in 1999, 2004, and 2011.

1970s

Jean MacDonald ’70 is enjoying

retirement in the world’s largest retirement community, The Villages, located in central Florida.

Bruce Laird ’72 is working everyday on behalf of fellow retired NFL players. Laird urged the start of the Fourth and Goal organization that engages ongoing dialogue with football commissioner Roger Goodell in efforts to change the pension and disability

system and gain representation for retired players. Many of the retired players from Laird’s generation are demonstrating the long-term effects of head injuries in the sport.

Mike Gionfriddo ’74 has been

promoted to the position of president and CEO of Vibram USA. Gionfriddo has served Vibram for more than 14 years.

Barry Morris ’76 has been pro-

moted to executive vice president and chief operating officer at STR Holdings, Inc. Morris joined STR in 2002 as vice president and chief financial officer.

Shelby Hall-Gibbons ’78 has

been named by Mayor Richard Cohen of Agawam, Massachusetts, as the head of the advisory team for the town’s “Let’s Move” campaign. The advisory committee will work to promote Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign within the local community, inspiring residents to become more physically active.

Rick Murnane ’79 has released

his first solo album, Wednesday Child. Murnane describes the music as cheery, but the lyrics are not.

Fall 2012 | 33

| class notes |

TKE Brothers from the late 70s and their wives reunited in

Newport, Rhode Island, in June.

The weekend included sailing in the Newport Harbor on Bob McSparrn’s ’78 sailboat, golfing, dining, shopping, cliff-walking, and a special dinner at Steve and Missy Mellikas's Newport home. A great time was had by all, and the group will be coordinating another event in 2014.

Susan Tapases ’84 recently accepted the position of physician liaison at Shriners Hospital for Children. Tapases has been a Shriners Hospital employee for 10 years.

Andrew Tuma ’84 MBA has been

named president of Berkley Surety Group, LLC. Tuma joined Berkley Surety in 2007, and most recently served as vice president and chief operating officer.

Laura Gentile ’85 MPA was declared the winner of the Hampden County Court Clerk Democratic primary this September. Because there are no Republicans seeking the office, Gentile should be stepping into the post at the start of the new year.

TKE Brothers and their wives reunite in Newport, Rhode Island.

1980s

Daniel Warwick ’81 MEd ’86 CAGS has been appointed as the

new superintendent of Springfield Public Schools. Warwick’s greatest priority in his new position is to reduce the dropout rate and increase the graduation rate in Springfield Public Schools. He also accepted the role of trustee at AIC.

Kathryn Pappas ’81 is serving as the scholarship chair for the Professional Women in Construction, Connecticut Chapter (PWC-CT).

She has served on the PWC-CT board since 2008. Pappas is assistant vice president/branch manager for Webster Bank in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

34 | Lucent

John Garvey ’96 MSOD has

been named to the board at Valley Venture Mentors, a Springfieldbased startup accelerator. Garvey Communication Associates, Inc. is providing pro bono digital marketing and public relations services to the nonprofit organization.

2000s

Widmarc Dalce ’01 has been named as the new men’s soccer coach at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, New Jersey. Dalce has been serving as interim coach since mid-February.

Heather Orszulak ’04 MEd is

teaching grade five special education at Ware Middle School in Ware, Massachusetts.

1990s

Rebecca Taylor ’06 MEd has announced her engagement to William Clinngensmith.

promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. He is currently serving as an operations officer with the 78th Training Division at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Amy Pawlishen ’07 has announced her engagement to Terrence Leahy. A spring 2013 wedding is planned in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Lisa Oliveira ’93 MACL has been

Sebastian LaGambina ’08 CAGS has been named as one

Vincent Memole, Jr. ’90 has been

named as the principal at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, Massachusetts.

Charles Villee ’94 CAGS of South Grafton, Massachusetts, is a sportswriter for the Grafton News and a speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Lisa Daken ’96 MEd has been

named as the principal at Meadow Brook Elementary School in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

of the Somerville High School housemasters/assistant principals.

LaGambina has been the Somerville High School Science Department chair since 2008.

Raeann Pelletier ’08 MSOT has

announced her engagement to Gerald Cranston, II; an October 2013 wedding is planned.

| class notes |

Taryn Lapponese ’08 has announced her engagement to Steve Hearn; a May 2013 wedding is planned in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Frankie DeAngelis ’09 has

announced his retirement from the Fort Wayne Komets Ice Hockey team. DeAngelis has secured an opportunity to use his business administration degree in the insurance industry near Toronto, Ontario.

Erica Floyd ’09 has been promoted to assistant vice president at North Brookfield Savings Bank. Floyd has been with the bank since 2009; in 2011 she became the branch manager at the West Brookfield location.

2010s

Todd Orlando ’11 has signed

owner of the Riverside Café on Bridge Street in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

with the Alaska Aces ECHL Ice Hockey team. Orlando spent his rookie year in the league with the Fort Wayne Komets.

Michael Calvanese ’11 MEd

Steven Rumbolt ’12 CAGS

Sokharun Yim ’10 is the new

has been named principal at STEM Middle Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Krispien ’11 MEd

has taken her first teaching job as a kindergarten teacher at South Elementary School in Somerset, Massachusetts.

Ashley McGrath ’11 MSOT

has announced her engagement to Michael Pereira; an August 2013 wedding is planned in Westerly, Rhode Island.

has been appointed as the interim athletic director for the 2012-2013 school year at Wareham High School in Wareham, Massachusetts Rumbolt has been a teacher, coach and dean at Wareham High School for more than eighteen years.

Joshua Takis ’12 MEd has taken a Support Services instructor position with Shawsheen Tech in Lowell, Massachusetts

Mary Jane Rickson ’09 MEd

has been named assistant superintendent/director-principal at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer, Massachusetts.

Jeff Rustico ’09 has played

in Germany’s top pro baseball league for the last two seasons.

This is his final season with the Dohren Wild Farmers before he returns to Massachusetts to join the workforce.

Brenda Theriault-Regan ’09 CAGS has been named

principal at Tewksbury Memorial High School, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

Come Cruise with AIC Alumni

Boston to Bermuda July 12-19, 2013 | Starting at $1269

While supplies last

Visit www.aic.edu/alumni/calendar for more information Fall 2012 | 35

| in memoriam | 1942

1965

1943

1966

Lois Vezina Wilcox Robert (Bob) F. Mahoney

1944

H. Bradford Riga

1946

Charlotte Carman Marguerite M. Meehan

1948

Janet Schmelzinger McGhee

1950

Thaddeus K. Malysz Patrick J. Moriarty Leonard H. Tetreault William F. Whalen III

1951

E. Masa Goetz Richard G. Quimper

1953

Harold L. Thomas Jr.

1954

Joseph A. Russotto

1956

Dorothy Pitoniak York

1958

W. Kent Heebner Stanley I. Kusiak Theodore J. Meyers

1959

Charles J. Holmes Francis M. Vivenzio

1967

Carlo S. Rovelli, Jr.

1968

John G. Haass Mary Lou Longo

1971

Frederick T. LaRochelle

1972

Raymond F. Mitchell

1973

Denise J. Bouthiller Rocco V. D’Andrea

1975

William W. Michalski

1976

Edward Johnson

1978

Carol R. Dana

1979

Lynne A. Dawson Virginia Powers-Lagac Margaret H. Ryan

1982

Eileen P. Neville

Lloyd S. Emerson Patricia A. Moore William E. Moriarty Raymond F. Stelzer

1991

1960

Harris E. Adriance Robert B. Atkinson Gerald Cohen John J. Regan

James E. Wykoff

1961

Peter J. Brown, Jr. Robert M. Gillis

1964

Evelyn Rutledge Alexander 36 | Lucent

George M. Lagos

Chiyo E. Hogarth Guillotte Jane L. Shane

Friends

Mary Lou Longo, of Enfield, Connecticut, died at the age of 72, on Monday, September 3, 2012 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Mary Lou was born in Springfield, on May 5, 1940, and resided in Enfield most of her life. She was a biology professor at AIC for 40 years, retiring in September 2011.

Longo joined the faculty in 1969 after graduating from the College with a bachelor's degree in biology. She was honored at a retirement party in 2011.

Mary Lou is survived by her brother John Longo and wife Tsui-Chuan Lee of Westborough, Massachusetts, a nephew Aaron Longo, a niece Catherine Longo, and her sister-in-law Barbara Longo and family of Spring Hill, Florida, in addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother Nicolas Longo.

Susanne Swanker, chair of the AIC Chemistry Department, said Mary Lou will be best remembered for her "witty, sharp and at-times self deprecating sense of humor; her dedication to being the best teacher she could be; her reticence to receive accolades or praise for who she was; and her deep, unrivaled affection for each and every one of her students."

Congratulations to

American International College’s

Nursing Students and Faculty!

AIC’s Nursing Program has been awarded $2.38 million in federal grant money through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students.

Over a four-year span, this grant will help over 40 nursing students overcome the financial hurdles that stand between them and their professional goals.

It also marks the largest federal grant awarded by the program to a Massachusetts college. Congratulations to all who made this award possible, and to all of our nursing students who will receive the assistance that they need!

Fall 2012 | 37

American International College 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu

I <3 AIC Love your alma mater? Want to help spread the word about all the opportunities that American International College has to offer? For a potential student, there is nothing more powerful than learning about why AIC is the right choice—directly from an alumnus. Nobody knows the AIC experience better than you! And we would love to give you a chance to share your wisdom!

Know of a prospective student for whom AIC would be a perfect match? Suggest the college that helped you reach your success. (If they use the code “Alumni” when submitting their application, we’ll even waive the application fee!)

If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can help, please e-mail us at MyStory@aic.edu.

38 | Lucent